Every seeded player who lost in the first round of the US Open including Novak Djokovic and Belinda Bencic
Several seeded players failed to reach the second round of the US Open.
Novak Djokovic was the biggest name to fall, losing to Mariano Navone in his opening match, but he wasn’t the only seed who failed to reach round two.
Do you think Novak Djokovic should now retire from tennis?
Is there any chance Djokovic wins another Grand Slam?
Here are the nine seeds who lost in the first round of the 2026 US Open.
Every seeded player who lost in the first round of the 2026 US Open men’s singles event
[4] Novak Djokovic
There were real question marks over Djokovic’s level ahead of the US Open, but few predicted he would lose in round one.
The Serb was in tears during his first-round exit to Navone, struggling mentally and physically on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic hasn’t won a Grand Slam in three years and will now exit the top 10.
On current form, it’s hard to imagine him ever winning a record-extending 25th major title.
[10] Arthur Fils
Arthur Fils was ‘the’ form player heading into the US Open.
The Frenchman won the Cincinnati Open right before, and looked ready to contend for his first Grand Slam.
It wasn’t to be, though, as Fils lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round.
Fils took responsibility for the defeat and will likely come back stronger, but you can’t help but feel like this was a real missed opportunity.
[19] Casper Ruud
Casper Ruud didn’t actually play his first-round match in New York, withdrawing from the tournament after the draw was made with a back injury.
The 2022 US Open finalist is expected to return in time for the Asian hard-court swing.
[29] Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie’s 2026 Grand Slam season didn’t go to plan.
After reaching the third round in Melbourne, Norrie failed to win another match.
His latest defeat was perhaps his most disappointing, losing to Luca Van Assche, 7-6, 2-6, 2-6, 3-6, in the first round of the US Open.
The 31-year-old only won two matches at the Grand Slam level in 2026, his worst return in six years.
[30] Matteo Arnaldi
Italian star Matteo Arnaldi was unable to reproduce his Roland Garros heroics on American soil.
The French Open semi-finalist lost to James Duckworth in four sets in his opening match.
He’ll need to find form quickly if he is to remain seeded for Grand Slam events in 2027.
Every seeded player who lost in the first round of the 2026 US Open women’s singles event
[12] Belinda Bencic
Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic was the biggest name to fall in the first round of the US Open women’s singles event.
After reaching the mixed doubles final, Bencic couldn’t carry that form over to singles and lost to Yulia Putintseva, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6.
In such an open and competitive field, you wondered if the 29-year-old could challenge for her first Grand Slam title in New York, but it wasn’t to be.
She failed to reach the quarter-finals of all four majors this year.
[20] Maja Chwalinska
The French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska is still waiting for her first Grand Slam win since Roland Garros.
In fact, she has only won one WTA Tour match since reaching the French Open final (1-5).
Chwalinska lost to Taylor Townsend in the first round of the US Open, 2-6, 3-6.
[27] Barbora Krejcikova
Two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova is one of the most dangerous players in women’s tennis on her day.
Unfortunately for Krejcikova, Sunday, August 30 wasn’t her day.
She lost to Kamilla Rakhimova in straight sets, 6-7, 2-6,
The Czech shouldn’t feel too disheartened, though, and could well challenge for a Grand Slam in the new year.
[28] Sara Bejlek
Sara Bejlek was the second Czech seed to lose in the first round.
After upsetting Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati, all eyes were on Bejlek in New York, but she couldn’t deliver.
The 20-year-old lost to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in three sets, remaining winless at the US Open.
